Lincoln Buzz Box

[Tom Snodgrass]

Hi,
Have been lurking for a while and thought I should join in the fun. I guess you would call me a old newbie. Learn to OA welding back in the 8th grade some 30+ years ago Anyway my Dad had a brand new Lincoln AC 225 buzz box that I got when he died. Well, I hooked it up and worked with it for awhile and then didn't use it for a few years. Well I got me an auto helmet and now I getting back into it--can't find enough stuff to try and weld! I have a question--yesterday I went to weld and I'm not getting any spark. I have 220v at the 50A breaker and at the outlet. You can hear the machine running and the fan is running. Tried a different breaker, same thing. Do you guys have any ideas on what's happened or what I should look for? Hope so, as I'm having withdraw pains!!! Thanks in advance Tom

[Sberry]

Make sure it is snapped cleanly into the settings on the adjustment switch. Wiggle it back and forth to make sure the contact is seated.

[CPB]

Tom, If the machine is running it sounds like you just have a bad connection somewhere. I would guess it would probably be either the electrode holder or ground clamp. Clean of the jaws of both the holder & clamp real good and that should solve your problem. If not go a little further and check the leads from the electrode holder and clamp to the lugs on the machine. If you have to take them apart , shine 'em up an reasemble. You could also check the open current voltage if you have a multimeter. Hope this helps.
CPB

[Tom Snodgrass]

Sberry27
Tried what you said but still the same thing

CPB
Will clean like you said. If that doesn't do it, I have a mulitmeter, how do I check the open current voltage?

Thanks to you both. Tom

[Sberry]

Just put it on a scale so it reads above 80V or so and touch to each welding lead. That will give the ocv and it is usually listed on the machine. The AC machines were right around 80 or so as I remember. Its just like it sounds, open circuit. Nothing connected to the leads. Should be about 25 or so welding.

[cope]

Another possibility

is that something took up residence inside the machine. My old Miller had a dirt dobber nest in one corner when I got it. Not bothering anything, and its been there since 1978. Yours may have something in a more sensitive area.

[Old Man Stick]

This might sound dumb But Is the area whare you clamping the ground lead too Clean? no paint , rust, scale, ect. This and whare your trying to start your ark at. Needs to be clean.



Keep us up to date on what wa find and whats happing with the unit.

OMS

[frank]

check the TOLS

Most Lincolns use a thermal overload sw on the outputlegs. Looks lik a button with two spade terminals. Jump out the sw and check OCV. Also the machine will sound like it is running if one of the hot legs drops out but it will not weld. Check for input voltage al the way to the transformer.

[Tom Snodgrass]

Thanks to all that replied!! It works!!

CPB
Cleaned the jaws real good

Sberry27, CPB, and Frank
Checked the OCV and it read 76 volts, the machine had 79 listed.

Cope
Was thinking the same thing when I opened it up, have heard about mice being inside of computers...well you can guess how that smelled and that was in an office!!

Old Man Stick
Not a dumb question-first thing I tried.

I try to live by KISS--You know Keep It Simple Stupid. Well I don't but I think I have wondered off alittle. Nothing seemed to be working until I spied a used 6011 rod laying on the bench so I thought why not try it and surprise...I got an arc!!!! I had be trying a new 6013 rod. So I don't know if cleaning did it or I just had a bad rod, but at least I can weld now. Only problem now is it's too dark outside (project idea...lamp stands)!

Thanks again for all the replies. Because of your answers I do know more than I did before. This is going to be fun. Take Care. Tom

[Hobart Expert Rock]

TOM SNODGRASS..............WELCOME ABOARD............. ANY TIME YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SOMETHING I WOULD SAY YOUR A WINNER...........GLAD YOUR UP AND RUNNING.............THEIR ARE MANY EXCEPTIONAL FOLKS WHO CAN HELP HERE...............HAVE SOME FUN NOW...............ROCK...
[email protected]